Senator Deborah O'Neill

Before entering Parliament, Senator Deborah O’Neill was a high school teacher (1986-1996) and a lecturer at the University of Newcastle (1996-2010). Deborah’s connection to the regional NSW community through education guided her into politics.

Elected to Federal Parliament as the Member for Robertson in the Gillard Government, Deborah was appointed to the Senate in 2013. In 2016, Deborah was elected as a Senator for NSW for six years.

In September 2016, Deborah was appointed Shadow Assistant Minister for Innovation and Shadow Assistant Minister for Mental Health.

Party roles

Member of the Kincumber branch 1996 – present.

Officer positions in the seats of Terrigal and Robertson 1998 – 2010.

Member of the NSW Labor Health Policy Committee 2003.

Delegate to the ALP State Conference 2001 – present.

Junior Vice-President of NSW Labor 2011 – present.

Deborah’s parliamentary positions include:

Chair of the Senate Select Committee on Health from July 2014 to May 2016;